Listen and Live

Posted on December 9, 2016 by billtonnis

road_trees_rays_sun

Love will lead us…if we are open.

(Listen to my song “You’ll Lead Me” by clicking HERE)

+++

Isaiah 48:17

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.

+++

As it was a thousand years before the Prophet Isaiah was born, as it was when Isaiah wrote this 700 years before Jesus was born…as it is today:

God is our Redeemer.

God was, is and will be teaching and leading all people because God is our Loving Creator.

Love is what we came from and where we are going.

God is leading us to the fullness of who we are and to the fullness of Love.

We have a great guide in Jesus. He gave us the model for living our lives.

Jesus said that he was the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Numerous times he instructed those who listened to him to follow him.

We can still listen to him by reading the gospels.

We also can make time for contemplative prayer.

Set aside 15 to 20 minutes each day to sit in silence…allowing your thoughts to drift away.

Empty yourself…clear a space for God to fill.

Prepare to be taught what is for your good…and to be led on the way you should go.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “You’ll Lead Me” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s of my albums available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Say Yes to Life

Posted on December 8, 2016 by billtonnis

sky_road

The way of Love is always the best way.

(Listen to my song “Take the Road Less Traveled” by clicking HERE)

+++

Luke 1:38

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

+++

The mother of Jesus gives us the perfect example of how to live our lives with her statement to the angel Gabriel.

When God’s message came to her that she would conceive the Messiah…she simply said yes.

What if each of us conducted our lives like Mary?

What if each of us said to our Creator: “I am your servant. I put aside my plans and pledge to the best of my ability to carry out Your purposes for my life.”

This is not easy because our egos will constantly say it’s all about “my” way.

And our culture will tell our egos that they are right. Go for all the gold! Grab all you can! Seek wealth, power and prestige. Go for more, more and more!

But not Mary.

She emptied herself of her ego’s wishes and pledged to live according to God’s wishes instead.

Easier said than done…you might say!

Recite this prayer of the famous monk Thomas Merton:

“My God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.”

It’s time to take the road that is calling you.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Take the Road Less Traveled” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peace Be with You

Posted on December 7, 2016 by billtonnis

water_drop_blue_peace

Let go and experience the Divine Presence.

(Listen to my song “I Will Give You Rest” by clicking HERE)

+++

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

+++

Sometimes the struggles and stresses of life are almost too much to bear.

When this is how it feels…stop.

Take a deep breath.

Know that you are held by a Great Compassion.

As Psalm 46 states: “Be still and know that I am God!”

Sometimes it takes being overwhelmed by life’s circumstances before we are finally forced to let go of trying to control everything and to surrender ourselves into the loving hands of God. 

Jesus gives us a gentle invitation to simply come to him and place ourselves in his care.

Try it. Feel the comforting peace that will enfold you and warm you.

It is then that you will be able to hear the gentle whisper of “I love you” in your heart.

Chaos and dismay do not win.

Even death is a doorway to new life.

Love will always have the final say.

You are in the process of transformation.

Be still…and find rest.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “I Will Give You Rest” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Agape

Posted on December 6, 2016 by billtonnis

cascade_waterfall_person

God’s love is not earned but gratuitously and lavishly given.

(Listen to my song “How Wonderful to Me” by clicking HERE)

+++

Matthew 18:12-13

“What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.”

+++

Have you ever “strayed” from God?

My guess is yes….since we are all human and imperfect!

And since God is…well…God…then as our Creator I think God would have known that we would stray.

This being the case…I think it is very important that in this parable Jesus didn’t say that the owner of the sheep chastised or punished the lone sheep that ran off. No!

He said that the man (who stands for God) would relentlessly pursue the wayward sheep (who stands for you and me) until he finds that sheep.

How else would we experience the transforming Unconditional Love of our Creator?

Redemption is not our doing…but God’s!

Allow this to sink into your soul.

This is very Good News!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “How Wonderful to Me” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs from iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Good News of Great Joy

Posted on December 5, 2016 by billtonnis

flowers_field_sun

God’s Love makes all things new…and that includes you.

(Listen to my song “God’s Love Is All You Need” by clicking HERE)

+++

Isaiah 35:4-5

Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.

+++

The Prophet Isaiah foretold of the coming of the Christ.

We see in Jesus the Love of God in human form.

We also see that God is intimately involved in humanity and all creation.

So…do not be afraid!

Your Creator wants you to be healed and made whole…in other words, saved.

Jesus showed us the way to live in order that we could experience life to the full (John 10:10). The way involves letting go of our small, ego-centered selves…in order that our larger, true selves can emerge.

When we follow Jesus’ example of loving God and our neighbor as ourselves…we experience a taste of the kingdom of God…the fullness of God’s love…in the here and now.

So whatever you are going through, no matter how bad it may appear to you, God is saying, “Be strong, fear not!”

Our Maker promises to save us. 

We may not be able to fathom how…because we are spiritually blind and deaf until a Great Unconditional Love opens our eyes and clears our ears.

May that process begin now.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God’s Love Is All You Need” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Divine Presence

Posted on December 2, 2016 by billtonnis

trees_sunlight

The Great Love that made you and all things is with you and for you.

(Listen to my song “God Is” by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 27:1,14

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!

+++

Since God is Love (1 John 4:8)…what is there to fear?

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

We are God’s children.

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

Whatever struggle or pain you are going through…know that God will never abandon you.

“Wait for the Lord.”

When you wait…you are consciously present. And where else would God be…but in the here and now.

God is an endless Source of Love shining on you…in you…and through you.

Open yourself to this Love and know that it will never waver based on whims or your actions. This love is unconditional.

You are the beloved.

Just accept it.

Allow it to transform you.

Allow this Love to birth something new in you this Christmas.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God Is” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Body of Christ

Posted on December 1, 2016 by billtonnis

child_eye_compassion

Who are the ones in need today that God is calling each of us to help?

(Listen to my song “Make Me a Channel” by clicking HERE)

+++

Isaiah 26:5-6

He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

+++

Scripture is filled with examples of God’s love and care of the poor.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote that those who build lofty kingdoms for themselves would see them reduced to dust.

All material wealth will one day disappear.

The more you have…the more you are called to share with those in need.

Jesus said, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” (Luke 12:48)

All Christians are called to take the option of the poor.

In the words of Jesus, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

As we prepare for Christmas and the coming of Christ in a new way in our lives…let us remind ourselves that Christ came to us (God made flesh) as a poor, defenseless baby whose parents were refugees without a home.

May we see Christ in all those in need…and respond!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ Connection

Posted on November 30, 2016 by billtonnis

light_forest

Allow the Light of Love to lead you.

(Listen to my song “May I Be Light” by clicking HERE)

+++

Romans 10:14

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

+++

I take these words of St. Paul to heart.

Listening to the words of Jesus in scripture and hearing him speak to my heart while sitting in quiet contemplative prayer has totally changed my life. (No…I’m not hearing voices! But certainly words and feelings are surfacing in my heart.)

If you try it…your life will change for the better, too. I guarantee it.

But a “Christ-connection” will not mean the end of struggles. No…far from it.

Life will still hand you challenges.

But for me…my connection with Christ is what allows me to go with the flow and be transformed in the process.

That, my friend, is Grace.

It’s what leads you to new life and to a place where one day you will look back and be thankful for the very struggle that seemed to be so horrible when it happened.

God is not causing your difficulties…but is the Light leading you through them.

Your life will then become that same Light to others.

As St. Francis was reported to have said: “Preach the Gospel always…and when necessary…use words.”

+++

Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

 

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Share Love

Posted on November 29, 2016 by billtonnis

hands_help

Be a missionary of mercy to someone in need.

(Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 72:12

For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help.

+++

I once heard a woman give a talk about her experience of coming upon a group of homeless people in much need…and how she had cried out to God,

“Why won’t you help them?”

She said she quickly heard this reply in her heart:

“Why won’t you?”

Sometimes God’s help comes through you and me.

But what if you are the person crying out for help?

What if you are the one feeling empty, lost and abandoned?

When all seems lost…know that the Love that made you could never abandon you.

The Divine Presence is always with you.

Sit quietly and open yourself to the Great “I Am.”

There is a Grand Plan Unfolding.

There is so much more.

Love will win out.

All shall be well.

Believe it.

+++

Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Be Made New

Posted on November 28, 2016 by billtonnis

sunrise_newday

God’s healing is sometimes physical…but always spiritual.

(Listen to my song “Heal Me” by clicking HERE)

+++

Matthew 8:8

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

+++

Jesus never seemed concerned about anyone’s worthiness.

Never.

He never mentioned worthiness as a requirement of God’s attention.

In fact…Jesus reached out to and spent time with those who were considered unworthy.

No one had to pass any tests or answer any questions about beliefs and doctrines.

As a professional officer in the Roman army…the centurion would have been an oppressor of the Jews. But this was no obstacle to Jesus when it came to helping someone in need.

He simply responded.

As Franciscan priest Richard Rohr said, “God does not love you because you are good; God loves you because God is good.”

God loves you in your unworthiness! 

How else would you experience the healing of Unconditional Love?

Allow that knowledge to sink into and saturate your soul.

Be healed.

Be whole.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Heal Me” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment